Hanger system

ABSTRACT

A hanger apparatus for supporting a cable run. The cables overlie a supporting channel extending transverse to the run and having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein. A pair of fastener clips are snap seated in selected of the spaced slots in the supporting channel and are generally located adjacent the outboard cables of the run. Each of the fastener clips carries an internally disposed latching element. A flexible strap of a selected length has a series of spaced slots formed therethrough and defining a series of spaced rungs therebetween. The medial portion of the strap is looped over the cable run and its end portions are threaded through the clips. The terminal ends of the strap are free. The latching element on each clip is seated in one of the slots in the strap and hooks over the adjacent rung thereby securing the strap to the clips. The strap may be tightened to provide an optimum clamping tension on the cables by axially pulling on either or both ends of the strap in that the latching element will automatically index to a seat in one of the succeeding slots in the strap in a ratchetlike manner responsive to the pull.

United States Patent Van Buren, Jr.

[54] HANGER SYSTEM [72] Inventor: Harold S. Van Buren, Jr., Lexington,

Mass.

[73] Assignee: TRW Inc., Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: July 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 51,870

Primary Examiner-Chancellor E. Harris AltomeyPhilip B. Parker, James R. O'Connor, Hall &

Houghton and Gordon Needleman [57] ABSTRACT A hanger apparatus for supporting a cable run. The cables overlie a supporting channel extending transverse to the run and having a plurality of spaced slots formed therein. A pair of fastener clips are snap seated in selected of the spaced slots in the supporting channel and are generally located adjacent the outboard cables of the run. Each of the fastener clips carries an internally disposed latching element. A flexible strap of a selected length has a series of spaced slots formed therethrough and defining a series of spaced rungs therebetween. The medial portion of the strap is looped over the cable run and its end portions are threaded through the clips. The terminal ends of the strap are free. The latching element on each clip is seated in one of the slots in the strap and hooks over the adjacent rung thereby securing the strap to the clips. The strap may be tightened to provide an optimum clamping tension on the cables by axially pulling on either or both ends of the strap in that the latching element will automatically index to a seat in one of the succeeding slots in the strap in a ratchetlike manner responsive to the pull.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PKTE'N'TEDJUL 41912 3, 674.233

INVENTOR HAROLD S. VAN BUREN,JR.

QWXO'GMV ATTORNEYS HANGER SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to cable run mounting apparatus of 5 the type found in US. Art Class 248, Sub Classes 58 or 68, entitled Supports Pipe or Cable; Suspended and Plural Pipe or Cable," respectively.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art discloses so-called Ubolts which are secured by cooperating nuts in suspension from a support channel. The U-bolts are designed to support individual cables or conduits, ergo an inventory of many sizes of bolts is required in order to accommodate cables and conduits having different diameters. The U-bolt hangers are extremely rigid and are therefore subject to failure when the installation is subjected to shock.

The prior art also discloses various types of strap or bandtype hangers. Like the U-bolts, many of the straps are preformed to engage individual cables or conduits of predetermined sizes or specific groupings of cables or conduits. In one instance the strapping is in two sections which are suspended from transverse pins which straddle the opposed inturned flanges of a channel-like support, and the strap sections carry opposed ears which are tensioned toward each other by a nut and bolt fastener to clamp the supported cable or conduit. While this form of a hanger assembly provides improved shock absorption as opposed to U-bolts, the band supporting pins are only pressure tensioned against the channel flanges, ergo the entire assembly is susceptible to longitudinal shifting along the support channel when the installation is subjected to excessive vibration or shock or if any accidental loosening of the nut and bolt connection on the strap sections occurs. In another flexible strap-type hanger, a selected length of strapping is threaded through at least three slots or openings in a support member and one end of the strap is looped over or under a cable or group of cables while a specially designed clamp is run onto the other end of the strap and up against the underside of the support member. Since the first end of the strap is retained solely by the clamping force which one or more of the engaged cables exerts thereon, any loosening of the clamp on the opposite strap end or appreciable diametrical shrinkage in the cable or appreciable lengthwise expansion or stretching of the strapping material may precipitate unintentional release of the first end of the band and a consequent release or unacceptable loosening of the entire strap to channel connection. In still another type of hanger apparatus employing flexible banding, the band is looped entirely around the base section of a generally U-shaped support channel to clamp a series of cables against the outer surface of the base section. The band is tensioned into a closed loop condition utilizing a so-called Band-It type tool and appropriate buckle to fasten the terminal ends of the band. This particular hanger apparatus has been recognized as having made a contribution to the art in terms of improved shock absorption, improved resistance to accidental shifting of cables and accidental release of the band when the apparatus is subjected to shock or vibration, and improved efficiency in the fastening of cable runs particularly in terms of the speed with which the banding may be accomplished. However, the apparatus requires a special U-shaped channel or saddle having a throat in which the reach of the band loop remote from the supported cables seats, and the throat must be deep enough to insure that the flanges defining same will prevent the band from slipping off the saddle. Further, the ends of the base section must be rolled or rounded to inhibit wearing or potential tearing of the looped band. As was earlier mentioned, a Band-It type tool and appropriate buckle must be used to secure the band in a completely closed loop. Since the buckle is designed to be nonreleasable for all practical purposes, the band must be cut and is usually discarded when a cable from a run is removed for repair or replacement or another cable is added to the run. Most importantly, an excessive amOunt of banding material is used in each installation by reason of the closed loop band which completely encircles the base section of the supporting channel. Thus, while the hanger system is efficient, the aforementioned requirements rendered it quite expensive and, for certain installations, impractical.

As is characteristic of the present invention, the aforementioned hangers are designed for utilization in structures such as commercial buildings, ships (particularly naval vessels), vehicles (including rolling stock), aircraft, and many other similar installations to support individual cables and cable runs, conduits, pipes and the like elongate members. The development of the presently disclosed hanger system was given impetus by the recognition of the need for an improved system for use in such installations, which system would be equally or more efficient than the known systems, particularly in terms of its capacity to withstand excessive shock and vibration, but which would also be substantially more attractive to potential users from an economic point of view. It will become evident to the reader of the detailed description of the invention which follows hereinafter that the need has been satisfied through a new, versatile system which represents a substantial departure from and distinct improvement over the teachings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An apparatus mounting an elongate member or group of such members on a support element, the support element presents a generally planar surface against which the elongate member(s) is mounted and has a series of spaced, through openings formed therein. Fasteners are fixedly but removably seated in selected of the spaced openings in the support member. A selected length of flexible strapping has a medial portion looped over the elongate member(s) and opposite end portions which are threaded through the fasteners and end in free terminations located remote from the surface of the support element against which the elongate member(s) is mounted. The strapping and fasteners carry cooperating latching elements which are interlocked to secure the strapping to the support element. The latching elements are adapted to be progressively and incrementally indexed in a ratehetlike manner to permit optimum tensioning of the medial portion of the strapping on the elongate member(s) and 0ptimum tensioning of the said member(s) against the support element in response to an axial pull applied to either or both of the free terminations of the strapping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an installation embodying a hanger system according to the invention with the cables of a supported run depictedin transverse cross section;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cable run supporting channel depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the strap depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1 depicting a fragmentary portion of a cable. The forward downcomer which fastens the cable support channel to the superstructure is not shown;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a clip fastener component of the hanger system, portions of the head and latch are broken away and the parts of the clip fastener thereby exposed are depicted partly in full and partly in section;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the'clip fastener component seated in a fragmentary section. of the cable supporting channel and further depicting a strap end portion passing through the clip fastener; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT with reference to the drawing, FIG. 1 in particular, the numeral 2 designates a fragmentary section of a steel ships overhead. Downcomers 4 of a desired length are secured to the overhead by welding, brackets or other appropriate fastening meanS and are suspended from the overhead. A channel-like support element 6 is attached to the lower ends of the downcomers 4 and extends transverse thereto in spaced, generally parallel relationship to the overhead. The downcomers and support element are of stamped or forged metal construction and ideally possess substantial rigidity.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 7 the support element 6 includes a base section 8 presenting a generally flat, planar outer surface 10, and opposed, spaced generally parallel flanges l2 depending from the longitudinal side edges of the base section. As seen in FIG. 2 the base section 8 has a series of generally equidistantly spaced slots 14 formed therethrough, the slots being of generally oblong configuration. The support element 6 is secured to the lower ends of the downcomers 4 by headed studs 16 which are welded to the flanges l2 and are seated in cooperating keyhole shaped slots 18 formed through the downcomers. Ideally, for purposes of stabilization and torsional rigidity, the downcomers are attached to studs secured to the front and rear flanges 12, as depicted at the right and left ends, respectively, of FIG. 1, in an alternating sequence, but this arrangement may be varied depending upon space considerations and other factors in certain installations. Further, fastener systems other than welded studs and stud receiving slots may be efficiently utilized.

A pair of fastener clips 20 are seated in selected of spaced slots 14 in the support element 6. Cables 22 of a given run are laid on the upper surface of the support element 6 with their longitudinal axes transverse to the support element. A flexible strap 24 of a selected length is looped over the cables 22 so that the medial portion 26 thereof overlies the cables, and the opposite end portions 28 of the strap are threaded through the clips 20 until their free end portions 30 clear the lower ends of the clips, whereupon ends 30 are engaged with an appropriate tool and drawn downwardly to tension the strap on the cables and tension the cables against the surface 10 of the transverse support element. Ideally the strap 24 and fastener clips 20 are of tempered high carbon or stainless steel construction; however it is recognized that other materials having the requisite strength, flexibility and resilience might be effectively employed depending on the particular installation in which the hanger system is utilized.

The strap 24 has a series of spaced parallel slots 32 formed therein as shown in FIG. 3 along its entire length, with adjacent slots defining rungs 34 therebetween.

Clips 20 are best depicted in detail in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 and are of unitary spring metal construction. Each clip includes a hollow head 36 having a generally rectangular boxlike configuration and having a closed end slot 38 opening through the top thereof, a shank defined by a pair of resilient legs 40,42 which depend from inturned flanges 44 at the base of the head, and a flexible latch 46 which is joined to the legs 40 by a reversely bent web 48 and extends upwardly therefrom between the legs and into the hollow head and terminates in a reversely bent, rigid, hooked end 50 lying closely adjacent the slot 38. The latch 46 is gradually tapered in width between the web 48 and hooked end 50. Each of the legs 40,42 has a lug 52 embossed outwardly therefrom and having an upper free edge 54 severed from the legs and defining a shoulder facing but spaced a given distance from the inturned flanges 44 of the head 36. Each of the lugs tapers longitudinally in depth from the edges 54 and gradually merges into the legs adjacent the ends thereof remote from the head 36. Leg 42 carries a pair of opposed strap guides intermediate the length thereof, each guide having a first arm 56 joined to the leg and extending generally perpendicular therefrom toward the plane of the latch 46, and a second arm 57 bent at a right angle to the first arm and disposed in spaced parallel relationship to the inboard surface of the leg. As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the end 58 of the leg 42 is free, the latch carries a semispherical boss 47 protruding toward the leg 42 at approximately the level of flanges 44 on the head, and the latch is laterally spaced from the inboard edges of the arms 57 of the strap guides.

The length and width of the slot 38 in the head are slightly greater than the width and thickness, respectively, of the strapping 24. The head 36 is elongated with respect to the legs 40,42 and laterally overhangs the side edges of the legs to a pronounced extent as is clearly evident from a consideration of FIG. 7. The width of the legs 40,42 is slightly less than the length of slots 14 in support element 6.

A clip is assembled with the support element 6 by passing the legs through one of the slots 14 in the base section 8 and forcing the head 36 toward the support element until its flanges 44 bottom on the surface 10. The reversely bent web 48 and free end 58 of leg 42 facilitate rapid alignment and reception of the legs in the slot. As the legs pass through the slot the longitudinal inclined surfaces of the lugs 52 act as cams which compress the legs 40,42 toward each other, until the shoulders 54 clear the undersurface of the base section 8 whereupon the legs snap laterally apart to the position shown in FIG. 6. It is to be noted that the strap guide arms 57 move freely past the lateral edges of the latch 46 during insertion and do not in any way inhibit inward compression of the legs. When the clip is fully seated, the shoulders 54 of the lugs bitingly grip the undersurface of the base section 8 and in cooperation with the head 36 securely clamp the clip to the support element. The rugged boxlike construction of the clip head 36 and its elongation with respect to the legs whereby flanges 44 bear against a substantial area of the surface 10 both lengthwise and widthwise of the slot 14 greatly enhances the stability of the assembly and the clip is effectively inhibited from canting either transversely or longitudinally with respect to the support element. Having reference to FIG. 1 the reader will observe that a pair of clips in a given installation are ideally seated in reverse orientation with respect to each other so that the rigid hook ends 50 of the latches 46 are oppositely directed. Once the clips are assembled to the support element as aforesaid, the cables of the run to be secured are placed on the base section 8 between the clips, the strap is passed over the cables, and its ends 30 are inserted into the slots 38 in the clip heads and forced downwardly between the legs 40,42. Usually the strap ends are inserted one at a time, but if sufficient personnel are available both ends may be inserted simultaneously.

As a leading end 30 of the strap passes through slot 38 into the clip head it engages the outer arcuate surface of the hooked end 50 of the latch and earns the latch toward the leg 40 against the bias of web 48. Thrust is then imparted to the strap end portion to cause the same to slip past the hook and move downwardly between the guide arms 57 and leg 42 until the free end 30 emerges from between the lower ends of the legs. FIGS. 6 and 7 essentially depict the aforementioned relative position of a strap end portion and the clip subsequent to the initial insertion and seating of the strap. One will note that the strap should be initially seated to the extent the hook is opposite a slot 32 in the strap whereby the latch 46 will snap away from the leg 40 under the impetus of resilient web 48 and the hook 50 will seat in the slot and engage the adjacent rungs 34. The spacing between the slots 32 in the strap and the relative location of the boss 47 on the latch are ideally predetermined so that a portion of the crown of the semispherical boss will seat in one of the lower slots in the strap when the hook is seated in one of the higher slots as aforesaid for a purpose which will be further explained hereinafter. Thus the strap is superimposed on the cable run and secured to the spaced clips and through the clips to the support elements 6. Immediately thereafter or at any subsequent desirable time, the free ends 30 of the strap may be pulled downwardly to tighten the strap on the cables. The tightening may be accomplished by pulling on only one end of the strap, or alternately on each end of the strap or on both ends simultaneously. While the strap may be pulled by hand, it is preferable and expeditious to utilize a convenient tool for grasping the free ends of the strap, for example, a hand tool carrying a hook element which can be seated in one of the exposed lower slots in the strap and engage the adjacent rung. If desired, the tool might well be equipped with a gauge for measuring the tension in the strap to insure that a uniform clamping force is applied to all cable runS in a given installation or to insure that the optimum tension specified for different cableruns is applied.

From a careful consideration of FIGS. 6 and 7, the reader will observe that the edges of the relatively narrow (with respect to strap thickness) slot 38 in the clip head and the arms 56 and 57 of the strap guide retain the strap portion within the clip in a generally vertical attitude both axially and transversely, and that the boss 47 on the latch which, as was earlier mentioned, is partially seated in one of the lower slots in the strap bears against the strap rungs adjacent the slot in which it is partially seated to limit the extent to which the hooked end 50 of the latch 46 seats in the strap slots. The strap is thus slightly overcentered toward the terminal free end of the hOok. When a pull is applied to the strap end the higher of the strap rungs adjacent the boss 47 cams over the crown of the boss and precipitates a slight but significant deflection of the latch 46 toward the leg 40, Le. to the left as viewed in FIG. 6. An instant later the strap rung above the hook 50 engages and rides over the outer surface of the downwardly turned portion of the hook (which has already been partially deflected out of the slot) and cams the hook completely out of the slot to permit progressive and incremental indexing of the hook into each succeeding slot in the strap until the strap is tightened to the extent desired. One will further observe that the strap is of sufficient thickness to extend substantially across the gap between the free end 58 of the leg 42 and the opposed surface of the latch adjacent web 48 and therefore inhibits inward compression of the legs to the extent necessary to disengage lug shoulders 54 from their seat against the undersurface of base section 8 of the support element. The seated strap portion therefore reinfOrces the attachment by maintaining the legs in a proper support element clamping attitude and inhibits accidental release of the clips.

Subsequent to final tensioning of the strap, any excess strapping hanging below the fastener clips may be cut off as closely proximate the ends of the clip legs as desired. On the other hand, if excess strapping presents no problem, it may be retained. In fact it may be desirable to intentionally utilize excess strapping in certain installations, for example, where it is contemplated that additional cables may later be added to a given run, the retention of excess strapping provides the flexibility in the system to accommodate that contingency. Should one desire to loosen the strapping for any reason, a convenient tool such as a flat blade screwdriver can be inserted between the strap and the latch to bend the latter back toward the leg 40 thereby disengaging the book 50 to permit the strap end portion to be drawn back up through the clip and completely free thereof if necessary. Once the strap is removed or raised clear of the legs 40,42, the latter may be squeezed inwardly to disengage shoulders 54 and permit removal of the clips from the support element. The clips may thereafter be reseated in other selected slots in the support element and another length of strapping, or if convenient the same strap previously used, may be employed to secure a wider or narrower run of cables.

Having considered the foregoing detailed description the reader should now appreciate that the disclosed hanger system possesses exceptional versatility. One will also appreciate that the easily fabricated sheet metal stampings which make up the components of the system, the obvious speed with which the clips and strapping can be installed and tightened by a reasonably capable worker, and the fact that the assembly can be carried out absent the need for sophisticated tools and component handling equipment, are all important factors which contribute to an efficient and economically attractive system.

The hanger system disclosed has recently been subjected to testing by a prime contractor for US. naval vessel construction. Clips fabricated from 0.025-inch stainless steel and stainless steel strapping having a width of 0.625 inch and a thickness of 0.025 inch were employed to secure cable runs to steel support channels similar to that depicted having a thickness on the order of 0. l 25 inch. The test results indicated that the hanger system would absorb a force of 600 lbs. impacted against the support channel without failure. These test results are clearly indicative of the exceptional shock absorbing capabilities of the system.

The foregoing detailed description of a proven and tested embodiment of the hanger system is presented with a view to fully complying with the statutory requirements set forth in the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112. This is particularly true with respect to the detailed description of the fastener clips 20 and the representative installation depicted in FIG. 1. However, it is recognized that substantially modified clips or other strap engaging fastener means might be effectively utilized with the system now that the broad concept of the improved system has been disclosed. It is further recognized and in fact contemplated that the support element 6 might be mounted in offset relationship to a vertically oriented structure as well as a horizontal overhead or superstructure. it is likewise contemplated that the fasteners and strapping might be reversely oriented with respect to the support element whereby the medial strap section will be suspended from a support element and thus serve to support cables or other elongate members disposed below the support element. Consequently one should interpret the detailed description as being of an illustrative rather than a limiting nature and one should now have reference to the claims which follow for a precise definition of the scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. An apparatus mounting an elongate member on a support element comprising in combination: i

a. a support element, said support element presenting a surface against which said elongate member is mounted, said support element having a plurality of spaced, through apertures formed therein;

b. at least a pair of resilient clips seated in selected spaced apertures in said support element, each of said clips including a head overlying the said surface of said support element adjacent an aperture therein, said head having an opening therethrough, a shank joined to and extending from said head, at least a portion of said shank extending beyond the surface of said support element opposite the said surface and carrying means engaging the opposite surface and cooperating with said head to retain the clip on the support element, and a latch joined to one of said head and shank portion;

0. a strap secured to said support element by said clips, said 4 strap 1. being of a selected length,

2. having portions thereof passing through the said clips,

3. having a portion between said clips traversing the elongate member and tensioning the elongate member against the said surface,

4. having a plurality of slots formed in at least the portions thereof passing through said clips, and

5. terminating in free ends extending beyond the side of said support element remote from the said surface;

said latch being releasably seated in one of said slots in said strap and said strap being incrementally adjustable with respect to said support element whereby said strap may be tightened to provide an optimum clamping tension on said elongatemember.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shank of said clips includes at least a pair of resilient legs, said means engaging the opposite surface of said support element comprises a laterally extending shoulder formed on and disposed intermediate the length of each of said legs, and said latch is joined to the end of one of said legs remote from said head through a reversely bent resilient web, said latch extending upwardly from said web toward said head and terminating in a relatively rigid hooked end disposed adjacent said head.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the said head of each of said clips is hollow and said hooked end of said latch is disposed within said head and adjacent the through opening in said head.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said strap extends through the opening in the head of each clip and through each clip between the latch and a clip leg other than that to which the latch is joined and the terminal end of the strap extends beyond the ends of the legs opposite the said head, whereby said strap inhibits flexing of said legs toward each other and thereby assists in maintaining the said laterally extending shoulders in effective engagement with the said opposite surface of said suPport element.

5. An apparatus accordinG to claim 2 wherein said shoulders on said legs of said clips are defined by the ends proximate said head of lugs projecting laterally from the external surfaces of said legs, said lugs being longitudinally tapered from said shoulders toward the ends of said legs remote from said head.

6. An installation mounting tubing, conduits, cables, and the like elongate members comprising in combination: a supporting structure, an elongate member support element fixed to and spaced from said supporting structure, said support element presenting a generally planar facing surface and having a plurality of spaced apertures formed therein, a group of elongate members extending across said support element and said planar surface and extending generally parallel to each other and transversely with respect to said support element and being in contact with each other, and a clamping apparatus holding said elongate members close to said planar surface of said support element, said apparatus including at least a pair of resilient, sheet metal clips seated in selected of said spaced apertures in said support element and disposed generally adjacent the outboard members of said group of elongate members and a separate, flexible, unpreformed, sheet metal strap of a selected length having a medial portion traversing the group of elongate members and end portions extending through the said clips and terminating in free ends, said strap and said clips embodying cooperating latching elements which are releasably engaged thereby securing said strap to said clips and said elongate members to said support element, said cooperating latching elements being operable to progressively and incrementally tighten said strap on said elongate members responsive to an axial pull applied to either of the free end portions of said strap.

7. An installation according to claim 6 wherein said clips include snap acting components which are snap seated in said apertures in said support element and the said end portions of said strap are disposed between the said snap acting components to thereby inhibit accidental unseating of said clips.

8. An installation according to claim 6 wherein said strap has a plurality of spaced slots formed therein and defining a plurality of rungs located between adjacent slots and said clips carry a latch adapted to be received in any one of said slots in said strap and to grip a rung adjacent the slot, said latch and one of said rungs comprising the said cooperating latching elements which are releasably engaged thereby securing said strap to said clips.

9. An installation according to claim 8 wherein said latch carries a hooked end which is adapted to seat in one of said slots in said strap and is adapted to be cammingly indexed out of said slot and to seat in succeeding slots in said strap responsive to an axial pull on the said end portions of said strap.

10. A hanger apparatus for supporting a run of cables or the like elongate members disposed in generally parallel relationship to each other comprising an elongate member support element adapted to extend transversely of the elongate members and presenting a generally planar surface against which the elongate members are to be tensioned, said support element having a plurality of spaced slots formed therethrough and opening adjacent the said surface, a support element fastening device adapted for securing said support element to a hanger apparatus supporting structure, fastener means seated in selected of said spaced slots in said elongate member support element and securely gripping said element, said slots having been selected to position said fastener means adjacent the outboard members of the run of elongate members to be supported and a selected length of un reformed, flexible having a medial portion adapte to be looped about strapping the run of elongate members and opposite free end portions adapted to be threaded through the said fastener means, said strapping and said fastener means carrying cooperating latching means in the form of hook and eye elements adapted to interlock to secure said strapping end portions to said elongate member support element, said latching means being adapted to be progressively and incrementally indexed to permit optimum tensioning of said strapping against said elongate members responsive to an axial pull exerted on said free end portions of said strapping subsequent to threading of said end portions through said fastener means.

11. A hanger apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said fastener means embodies snap acting components whereby said means are snap seated in said selected slots in said elongate member support element.

' a: s a: 

1. An apparatus mounting an elongate member on a support element comprising in combination: a. a support element, said support element presenting a surface against which said elongate member is mounted, said support element having a plurality of spaced, through apertures formed therein; b. at least a pair of resilient clips seated in selected spaced apertures in said support element, each of said clips including a head overlying the said surface of said support element adjacent an aperture therein, said head having an opening therethrough, a shank joined to and extending from said head, at least a portion of said shank extending beyond the surface of said support element opposite the said surface and carrying means engaging the opposite surface and cooperating with said head to retain the clip on the support element, and a latch joined to one of said head and shank portion; c. a strap secured to said support element by said clips, said strap
 1. being of a selected length,
 2. having portions thereof passing through the said clips,
 3. having a portion between said clips traversing the elongate member and tensioning the elongate member against the said surface,
 4. having a plurality of slots formed in at least the portions thereof passing through said clips, and
 5. terminating in free ends extending beyond the side of said support element remote from the said surface; said latch being releasably seated in one of said slots in said strap and said strap being incrementally adjustable with respect to said support element whereby said strap may be tightened to provide an optimum clamping tension on said elongate member.
 2. having portions thereof passing through the said clips,
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shank of said clips includes at least a pair of resilient legs, said means engaging the opposite surface of said support element comprises a laterally extending shoulder formed on and disposed intermediate the length of each of said legs, and said latch is joined to the end of one of said legs remote from said head through a reversely bent resilient web, said latch extending upwardly from said web toward said head and terminating in a relatively rigid hooked end disposed adjacent said head.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the said head of each of said clips is hollow and said hooked end of said latch is disposed within said head and adjacent the through opening in said head.
 3. having a portion between said clips traversing the elongate member and tensioning the elongate member against the said surface,
 4. having a plurality of slots formed in at least the portions thereof passing through said clips, and
 4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said strap extends through the opening in the head of each clip and through each clip between the latch and a clip leg other than that to which the latch is joined and the terminal end of the strap extends beyond the ends of the legs opposite the said head, whereby said strap inhibits flexing of said legs toward each other and thereby assists in maintaining the said laterally extending shoulders in effective engagement with the said opposite surface of said suPport element.
 5. terminating in free ends extending beyond the side of said support element remote from the said surface; said latch being releasably seated in one of said slots in said strap and said strap being incrementally adjustable with respect to said support element whereby said strap may be tightened to provide an optimum clamping tension on said elongate member.
 5. An apparatus accordinG to claim 2 wherein said shoulders on said legs of said clips are defined by the ends proximate said head of lugs projecting laterally from the external surfaces of said legs, said lugs being longitudinally tapered from said shoulders toward the ends of said legs remote from said head.
 6. An installaTion mounting tubing, conduits, cables, and the like elongate members comprising in combination: a supporting structure, an elongate member support element fixed to and spaced from said supporting structure, said support element presenting a generally planar facing surface and having a plurality of spaced apertures formed therein, a group of elongate members extending across said support element and said planar surface and extending generally parallel to each other and transversely with respect to said support element and being in contact with each other, and a clamping apparatus holding said elongate members close to said planar surface of said support element, said apparatus including at least a pair of resilient, sheet metal clips seated in selected of said spaced apertures in said support element and disposed generally adjacent the outboard members of said group of elongate members and a separate, flexible, unpreformed, sheet metal strap of a selected length having a medial portion traversing the group of elongate members and end portions extending through the said clips and terminating in free ends, said strap and said clips embodying cooperating latching elements which are releasably engaged thereby securing said strap to said clips and said elongate members to said support element, said cooperating latching elements being operable to progressively and incrementally tighten said strap on said elongate members responsive to an axial pull applied to either of the free end portions of said strap.
 7. An installation according to claim 6 wherein said clips include snap acting components which are snap seated in said apertures in said support element and the said end portions of said strap are disposed between the said snap acting components to thereby inhibit accidental unseating of said clips.
 8. An installation according to claim 6 wherein said strap has a plurality of spaced slots formed therein and defining a plurality of rungs located between adjacent slots and said clips carry a latch adapted to be received in any one of said slots in said strap and to grip a rung adjacent the slot, said latch and one of said rungs comprising the said cooperating latching elements which are releasably engaged thereby securing said strap to said clips.
 9. An installation according to claim 8 wherein said latch carries a hooked end which is adapted to seat in one of said slots in said strap and is adapted to be cammingly indexed out of said slot and to seat in succeeding slots in said strap responsive to an axial pull on the said end portions of said strap.
 10. A hanger apparatus for supporting a run of cables or the like elongate members disposed in generally parallel relationship to each other comprising an elongate member support element adapted to extend transversely of the elongate members and presenting a generally planar surface against which the elongate members are to be tensioned, said support element having a plurality of spaced slots formed therethrough and opening adjacent the said surface, a support element fastening device adapted for securing said support element to a hanger apparatus supporting structure, fastener means seated in selected of said spaced slots in said elongate member support element and securely gripping said element, said slots having been selected to position said fastener means adjacent the outboard members of the run of elongate members to be supported, and a selected length of unpreformed, flexible strapping having a medial portion adapted to be looped about the run of elongate members and opposite free end portions adapted to be threaded through the said fastener means, said strapping and said fastener means carrying cooperating latching means in the form of hook and eye elements adapted to interlock to secure said strapping end portions to said elongate member support element, said latching means being adapted to be progressively and incrementally indexed to permit optimum tensioning of said strapping against said elongatE members responsive to an axial pull exerted on said free end portions of said strapping subsequent to threading of said end portions through said fastener means.
 11. A hanger apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said fastener means embodies snap acting components whereby said means are snap seated in said selected slots in said elongate member support element. 